[ad_1]
Michel Barnier traveled to London this week to break out of the stalemate, but now talks will take place next week after insufficient progress was made. With the talks dragging on, the two sides have missed the EU deadline of the middle of this month. The next deadline is now Thursday the 19th, but MEPs have insisted that they will not only approve a deal quickly and will need time to analyze the text.
An EU source told Politico: “IWe cannot be expected to simply pass such an important and complex deal. “
Unlike the EU, if a trade agreement is reached, Due to Boris Johnson’s majority in Parliament, the deal is expected to pass through the Commons much more easily than in Brussels, where all member states are represented.
A second source said: “EU countries need time to analyze the text.
“The role of the EU member states is more than just backing the deal.
“If that is what the European Commission has in mind, it will be disastrous.
“This is a delicate and fragile process, which the UK does not seem to understand.”
If no deal is reached next week before the EU leaders’ video conference, Brussels is expected to contemplate no-deal contingency planning.
The EU Coordination Group in the UK had previously set a mid-October deadline for an agreement, but will now discuss a new implementation schedule.
PLEASE FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES:
8.25am update: UK and EU plan delayed for new rules in NI even after Jan 1
The UK and the EU are poised for crucial talks on a possible “grace period” to allow Northern Ireland retailers time to adjust to changes once the Brexit transition period has ended in December.
The European Commission and the British government are in talks about a possible grace period to allow Northern Ireland retailers time to adjust to the changes that will take effect in January under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
This is believed to only be a temporary adjustment period if both parties agree to the extension, reports RTE News.
The grace period would reportedly mean that food imports going to supermarkets and retailers across the UK will not be subject to additional costs or paperwork.
7:46 am update: Dominic Cummings resigns as Boris Johnson prepares for another blow amid chaos # 10
Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s top Downing Street adviser, will resign from Boris Johnson’s team.
Cummings, who led the Vote Leave campaign, is said to be furious that Lee Cain, the 10th communications director, was ousted after an internal power struggle.
According to a Downing Street source, Cummings will resign early next year when the Brexit transition process is complete.
Speaking to the Mail about Cain’s departure, a source said: “This will loosen Dom’s grip on the government and accelerate his departure.
“He wants to get through Brexit, get over the hump of the pandemic and land one or two of his favorite projects.
“Once that’s done, he won’t stay.”
Downing Street dismissed the report as “speculation.”
7.21am update: EU is concerned about lack of time to ratify trade agreement
Because any trade agreement must be ratified by EU 27 representatives, Brussels is concerned about the lack of time required to complete the process before the end of the year.
The EU had set this week as the deadline for a deal, but talks are now expected to spill over after the mid-November deadline.
Brussels has set a deadline for the videoconference of EU leaders next Thursday.
Even if an agreement is reached, MEPs have insisted that they will not “seal” a deal without due scrutiny.
One MEP said: “We cannot be expected to just seal such an important and complex deal.”
A diplomat also told Politico: “The role of the EU member states is more than just backing the deal.
“If that is what the European Commission has in mind, it will be disastrous. This is a delicate and fragile process, which the UK does not seem to understand.”
[ad_2]
